Spotlight on MASHstudios A California design firm loaded with UBER style With a cool California style, a fresh take on industrial
playful spirit throughout the space. An example of this
space, natural woods, sleek steal and industrial concrete
design and a belief that office spaces influence the way
is the bright and casual cafeteria with its butcher-block
surfaces are blended to convey the idea of attainable
people think; feel and act; express values; inspire; and
tables printed with a variety of beach images and nautical
luxury, which is central to the UBER brand. The “War
create a sense of belonging. The Los Angeles based
motifs, all designed to reflect the Southern California
Room” table says it all - designed by MASHstudious, it is
design firm MASHstudios is leading the industry, creating
coastal lifestyle—the roof of the building features a
a 12-foot, (live-edge) Walnut slab, with inconspicuous,
furniture that does more than look great: it expresses
lifeguard tower.
all-wood joinery and integrated power between the centers live edges - built to express the “LUX” aspect of
the brand. With a client book brimming with Silicon Valley titans such as Google, Facebook, Amazon, AOL,
At UBER, it’s all about the story. The UBER leadership
the UBER brand. The examples of MASHstudios creative
eBay, Yahoo, Yelp, UBER, Twitter (and many others I’m
team took great pains to incorporate UBER’s corporate
accomplishments and attention detail are endless, but it’s
not authorized to mention), it’s no wonder they are
style into the design of their San Francisco headquarters
the back story that really embodies the firm’s authentic
MASHing the competition.
and MASHstudios was happy to help. Throughout the
California style.
The firm’s sleek esthetics and modern vibe is part of their cachet; but it’s MASHstudios’ ability to listen to the needs of the brand and create a space that is uniquely their own. Case in point, it speaks volumes that one of the world’s largest and well known French fashion brands, hired this California design firm to do their corporate space in NYC, a complex office environment that demanded furnishings that deliver more than just a work space. The MASH team listened and came up with the brilliant “Couture Work Station.” Boasting a sleek matte finish, it seamlessly blends iconic style with day-to-day essentials including a private desk closet with a make-up mirror, hooks for handbags, shoe and clothing racks (for those day into evening meetings) and integrated USB power ports and wireless charging for multiple device needs, in several places throughout the station. Then there is the Google 91,000-square-foot, Orange County office. MASHstudios showcased the company’s
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When founder Bernard Brucha started MASHstudios
in Europe and Asia looking to attain the California style.
MASHing our skills and abilities together for the best
out of his Venice, California apartment, he had big ideas
It’s fun, we’ve just never put a name to it before.
possible outcome. Team is everything.
apart from other firms? Everything is designed and
You work with the biggest and brightest from Silcon
What is the most “challenging or oddly creative” request
manufactured in Los Angeles. Built from the ground
Valley to Silicon Beach. What is it about MASHstudios
you have had from a client?
up to handle the most challenging fabrication and
that sets you apart from other firms?
Yes! We once made beds for a movie. We had to make
manufacturing projects, MASHstudios has their own,
We listen first instead of talking. It’s only then you hear
(2). One was for pre-honeymoon and the other was
full-service, millwork and cabinetry plant in Southern
what they are seeking in a solution. We first meet the
post honeymoon... the second was destroyed during
California. This 75,000-square-foot facility is home to a
needs of the project and then add to it.
vampire love making; they were for the Twilight movie.
and a local plan for success. What sets MASHstudios
team of expert craftsmen, programmers, engineers
New York’s design esthetics
and cabinetmakers.
would be described as
Being fully vertical allows
Sleek and Modern, Miami
MASHstudios to narrow the
is White and Bright, and
edge on the competition
Chicago is Classic and
and streamline the process,
Clean. How would you
ensuring the highest level
describe Los Angeles?
of quality control and
It’s a laid-back aesthetic
(critical) on-time delivery.
that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Authenticity is
According to Brucha, a
a big part. Start with solid
typical window for a large
natural materials and make
production project — from
it to last. That’s typically
design to delivery — is just
where we start.
4-12 weeks. This is the MASH advantage. Inspired
What three things, do you
by the “Made in California”
never leave home without?
movement, MASHstudios is
My smoothie, My phone
a great local success story.
and a kiss from Jenny.
Recently I was invited
Research has shown that
to tour the sleek “new”
some of us are hardwired to
corporate offices near
work better in the mornings,
downtown Los Angeles
while others do their best
designed by Brucha’s
thinking late at night. Are you
architect sister. I had the
an early bird or a night owl?
opportunity to view the new line of branded home
Steve Jobs had a mantra, every morning he would look
I’m up well before the sun and haven’t set an alarm in
furniture (each piece is named after a California coastal
in the mirror and ask himself “If today was the last day
years. I get most of my work done before 9:00 am, so I
town) as well as several upcoming industrial projects.
of my life, would I be happy with what I’m about to do
guess I’m a morning person. I think I inherited that from
I also sat down with Brucha to discuss his passion
today?” If he responded “no” too many days in a row,
my Mom - she’s up at 3am.
for design and how his brand embraces its unique
he knew something needed to change. Do you have
California’s style.
a morning mantra? Yes, I try to look at what can use improvement. Isolate
MASHstudios is a -Made in the USA- (never China)-
the problem and then attack it relentlessly, we try not
industrial design firm based in Los Angeles. How has
to dwell in the past. I like to fix things and move on. The
this California image influenced your brand domesticly
quicker the better. It’s “in & out” culture here.
WRITTEN BY
Maggy Siegel A Los Angeles based writer, home and lifestyle arbiter, and founder of the
and globally? We have always been a California brand and have never
I’m very curious, how did you come up with the
popular weekly column; California Style - inspired by the poetic beauty,
wavered. It has been nice to be noticed on the global
name MASHstudios?
coastal style and rustic charm that is uniquely California - She is a Mother,
scene as an accepted movement instead of a passing
Sitting over a drink with friends. the idea of MASHstudios
nature lover, collector of rare books and art and travel enthusiast. Contact:
trend. We have been getting lots of attention from clients
was a group of creative people with different backgrounds
maggysiegelcastyle@gmail.com or Instagram maggysiegelcastyle.
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